The Opelousas courier., 1887-01-08

But for all that his presence gave me
hope. He was my brother, | could not,
he could not forget that!
1t did not take them long to devour
everything eatable in the house. Then,
with a satisfied gruut, the chief said
few words to my brother, who turned
and in a stern voice said that I would
have to go with them, and if l resisted
they would kill me. His words were
cruel, but his looks treasured me. He
then joined the Indians in what seemed
to be a dispute. Several times | saw
them looking savagcly al my poor baby,
who chung to me in a helpless fear.
will never forget the terror of those
moments.
At last my brother turned to me and
said that while the rest of the party
went on to our neighbors he and one of
the Indians would remain and guard
/ HIT uuLtl t1S llC ICluliCAs uAtNi-
wards learned that the chief was deter
mined to kill by baby. Brother told
them it would be easier to control me if
they took the child along, so they de-
| cided not to kill her then. The chief
made several menacing gestures towards
me, as if he wished to fully intimidate us
before he left. I was forbidden to leave
the chair into which / sank. For a few
minutes after the party were gone and
out OF sight my brother and the Indian
remained in grim silence watching me.
1 longed to speak to my brother, but
something in his looks warned me to
make no sign.
After a little time he sent the Indian
to the we'll for water. In q hurried
whisper he told me we must escape now
or never. We had not o moment to
lose, as the Indians would be back in an
hour.
ooh, Tom, the indiana ] exclaimed.
He replied we would have to settle
him when he came in; and as the red
skin returned with the water Tom over
powered him, wrested his weapons from
him, and by main force kept him down,
while Iaidcd in binding and gagging
him. Tom could not kill him in cold
blood, so left him to be released by the
rest on their return.
For the first time l thought of Dolly in
the cellar.
"Tom," Icried, "There is a horse hid
in the cellar"
THANK God for Chat" replied he.
l hurriedly wrapped baby in a COM
Portable, thrust a few of my k~eepsakes
and valuables in a hand-satchel, and Tom
went to the cellar and brought out
Dolly.
The Indians had been too cunning to
leave a horse behind, though they did
not appear to mistrust my brother. We
both mounted, Tom holding baby, who
seemed to have no fear of him, I clinging
on behind.
Dolly seemed to realize her errand as
she few along over the road toward the
front. As we rode, Tom explained how
he came to be with the Indians. H, had
been captured nearly a year before while
out on a hunting expedition and in
order to save his life had joined them,
with the hope that he would in time cs-
cape. He had won their confidence by
appearing to enter heartily into their
schemes against the whites. When the
Indians started out on this raid they had
ventured farther into civilization than
ever before. Ny brother had decided to
make a desperate effort to escape and
have them captured. He had no idea
that he would find me, as he had never
visited u new home.
just as Dolly was beginning to show
signs of fatigue and my hopes were
sinking for fear she would give out and
we would be recaptured l saw a team
coming toward lis. 1t was my husband
returning home.
It did not take us long to explain the
affair and Chamber into the wagon.
Turning the horses about we drove for
the eort in great speed. Dolly followed
behind, much relieved at the loss of her
double burden.
We reached the fort in safety and it
did not take long to get the United
States troops in hot pursuit of the
Indians, my brother acting as guide. In
a few.hours we had the satisfaction Of
seeing the bloodthirsty fellows in irons.
The next morning we returned to our
little home, brother Tom with Us, and
found nothing the worse Of the raid.
When the Indians discovered our escape
they had started after, not waiting to
burn the dwelling as we had e.red they
would.
We have lived in cur Western home
long enough to see it surrounded BIZ d
populous and wealthy country, and i
have never had but my One Adventuire..'
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